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A bright answer

Q: Our training room’s projector died, and we are in
the market for a new one. Can you give us some advice as to what we
should look for in a replacement projector?

A: The good news is that today’s projectors are
better than ever—and far less expensive. There are many facets to
consider, but only a handful are most critical. Below is my checklist
for evaluating and selecting a new projection system.

Lumens. The most important consideration is the
lumens—the brighter the better. While 2,000 lumens will get the job
done in darker rooms, having 3,000 lumens usually allows you to
leave the lights on and still see the screen just fine.

Widescreen. Since today’s laptops and monitors have
migrated to widescreen displays, your projector should support
widescreen as well. (Of course, if you do purchase a widescreen
projector, you may also need to upgrade to a widescreen projection screen.)

Input ports. Make sure the new projector supports
your computer’s output signal, be it VGA, HDMI, USB, DVI, S-video,
component video, etc. (I find that VGA is adequate for computer
displays, but HDMI is needed to support high-definition DVD or
television signals.)

Wireless (optional). You should consider purchasing
a wireless projection system so Bluetooth- or TCP/IP-enabled
laptops, tablets, and smartphones can easily connect to the
projector.

Other. Most systems that meet the above four
criteria will likely provide adequate speakers, resolution, contrast
ratio, ceiling mount, rear display, and keystone correction options.
So these factors are typically less important to scrutinize in
detail, but you should still check to make sure they are included.

Projector screen. The size and quality of the
projection screen are very important. In my opinion, the screen must
be at least 8 feet wide, or wider (even if the ceiling height is
only 8 feet and the screen can’t be fully deployed vertically). The
back of the screen should be solid black to prevent light from
bleeding through, as this allows more light to bounce back toward
the audience. The screen’s surface should be textured (not smooth)
so light is also reflected sideways (in addition to straight back)
to allow viewers seated near the edges of the room to see more
clearly. As a comparison price, I found this 10-foot-wide Elite
screen, pictured below, available (on Amazon.com) for $249.

Use Windows low resolution. If you intend to
project computer applications (i.e., not just PowerPoint slide
shows), you should set your computer screen’s resolution to the
lowest possible setting (not the highest resolution, which most
people tend to use). This setting will display fonts and images
larger so they are easier for the audience to see and read. To
change your screen’s resolution, right-click on the Windows
Desktop and select Screen
resolution, then select the lowest resolution supported by
both computer and projector that will display your intended content
properly, as pictured below.

Economy mode. Ironically, many people purchase a
more powerful 3,000-lumen projector and then set the bulb to 1,500
lumens (“economy” mode) to save the projector’s bulb life. This
approach is akin to purchasing a 12-cylinder Jaguar and using only
six spark plugs to save gasoline. I recommend that if you plan to
run your projector in “economy mode,” save some money upfront by
simply buying a cheaper projector that supports fewer lumens.

Price. As a comparison price, in November 2013, I
paid $649.99 (on Amazon.com) for a 3,000-lumen Epson EX7220 Wireless
WXGA 3LCD Projector for use in delivering CPE courses.

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